Rail joint



`Patented July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES RAIL JOINT# Application filed Augustfll, 1931. Serial INfo. 556,347... n

This invention relates to the securing together of lengths of rail in a railway, and consists in a fastening device which is simple and susceptible to cheap manufacture, is easy Y of application, secure 1n service, and easy of removal.

In the accompanying drawing,.Figs. I and II show in perspective the fastening device 4in application to railway rails, with variation in detail. Figs. III and IV are views in section of the fish-plates of the two structures.

Referring, first, to Fig. I, a railway rail 1 is shown, having assembled with it opposite fish-plates 2, and a connecting bolt 3-all of which is the usual assembly. The shankof the bolt is slotted. The fish-plate is, on its outer face, provided with an outstanding eminence or boss; in this instance the fish-plate is ridged longitudinally with two ridges 20, and the perforation through whichthe bolt extends is formed through the web of the fishplate, intermediate the two ridges.

Aligned slots are cut in the tworidges and the slots are preferably made continuous by extending into the web between the ridges, and the groove 5 so formed (of. Fig. II) Vis in its position diametrical with respect to the bolt-hole. The bottom of the groove is oblique with respect to the axis of the bolt when assembly is completed. A Wedge-key 4 with opposite relatively inclined surfaces is introduced intothe otherwise completek assembly, engaging, along one edge, the bottom` -of the gro-ove 5 and,along the opposite edge, the outer limiting wall of the slot in the shank of the bolt. The shape and proportions are preferably such that the strain exerted on the bolt is truly axial in direction. The positions of the assembled parts are illustrated in Fig. I. And itwill be perceived that as the wedge-key is driven home the device is made secure. The parts may continue by friction .in their so tightened positions, or the key may be locked in place by bending aside itsproing the key out again. Y

It will be perceived that, as the wedge-key is driven home, it is subjected to strains tending to bend it in the plane ofits extent. Such bending, with binding contacts on its oppo- .truding tip. Loosening is effected by drivsite wedge surfaces, may be effective increasing its security in place.

The device as shown in Fig. II differs, in that a single and relatively broad ridge 6 isV formed 'upon the outerface lof the fish-plate, 65 through the middle portion'ofwhich the bolthole is formed. As in the other case, this ridge is grooved, and the` groove 7 extends obliquelyacross the ridge vfrom sidel to side andjis inits location diametrical with respect |50V to the bolt-hole. The bottom of the groove is f oblique'to the bolt axis, asin the other case.,

rIn other respect theV assembly is the saine asA that of Fig. l, and the method of applying and removing is the same.

In both cases the grooves (5, 7) are so in-y clined to the longitudinal extent of thefishplate and rail thatV they are mostl easily ac- Y cessible for application and removal.

I claim as my invention: l. Means for joining together the rails of a railwayincluding a fish-plate adapted to be arranged between and to engage the heads and the bases of two rails set end to end, such fish-plate being formed with -aboss on its outer side, the fish-plate being perforate, and being in its bossed portion grooved with a Y groove which extends in diametrical direction with respect to such perforation,v a bolt with slotted'shank adapted to penetrate a 90 j bolt-hole in the web of a rail to which such l fish-plate. is applied andto penetrate at ,the same Ytime the perforation in the fish-plate so applied,and a Wedge key with oppositey relatively oblique surfacesfadapted'to be ap- 95 plied to an assemblyof fish-plate and bolt -to a rail, and to lengage simultaneously, upon its said opposite surfaces,.the slot in the bolt v and the groove in the bossed portion of the fish-plate. Y n 2.- Means for joining together the railsiof a railway-including ash-plate adapted tO be arranged between and toengage the heads and the bases of two rails set'end to end,-such fish-plate being ridged on 'its outer side, the 95 i `fish-platebeingV perforate,-and being in its ridged portion grooved with a groove which extends indiametrical direction withrespect Y to such-perforation and the bottom of the groove beingoblique in its extentwith wrespect 1.

to the aXis of such perforation, a bolt with slotted shank adapted to penetrate a bolthole in the Web of a rail to lwhich such lishplate is applied and to penetrate at the same i time the perforation in the fish-plate so appliecl,' and a Wedge key with opposite relatively oblique surfaces adapted to be'applied t0 an @[S'Semblyffh-Plfnd 00112 UQ "a rail, and to `engage Sinlultaneonsly,V upon its said opposite surfaces, the slot in the loolt and the grooveie flielrideQe-peftion 0f :the @ehr Platani Y A e In testimony whereof I have liereuntoet .Y

myliand. ,l f Y y HARRY-G. 

